Back in July, it was revealed that a remake of 1988's Child Play was in development, and now MGM and Orion Pictures have announced that production on the contemporary reimagining has commenced in Vancouver, with Aubrey Plaza (Ingrid Goes West, Parks and Recreation) playing the role of Karen, Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Hotel Artemis) as Mike, and Gabriel Bateman (Lights Out, Annabelle) playing Andy.

Lars Klevberg (Polaroid) is directing the new Child's Play movie from a screenplay by Tyler Burton Smith (Kung Fury), with David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith on board as producers.

The original Child's Play was directed by Tom Holland (Fright Night) and co-written by Don Mancini, who has kept the franchise alive by writing six sequels and directing the three most recent installments, and he's also developing a Child's Play TV series. At this time, it does not look like the remake will be connected to the detailed timeline of Mancini's movies.

Brad Dourif has voiced Chucky in all seven of the franchise's films, but it's not yet known who will voice the killer doll in the remake. Stay tuned to Daily Dead for more updates, and check out the official press release below (via Geek Vibes Nation):

Press Release: September 20, 2018 – Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures (MGM) will produce a contemporary version of the iconic horror classic Child’s Play for Orion Pictures; it was announced today by Jonathan Glickman, MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group and John Hegeman, President, Orion Pictures. Starring Aubrey Plaza (Ingrid Goes West, Legion, Parks and Recreation) as Karen, Emmy and Tony nominee Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Widows, If Beale Street Could Talk) as Mike and Gabriel Bateman (Lights Out, American Gothic) as Andy, principal photography commenced in Vancouver. Rising filmmaker Lars Klevberg (Polaroid) will direct from Tyler Burton Smith’s (Kung Fury, Quantum Break video game) screenplay based on the original motion picture.

Child’s Play follows a mother (Plaza) who gives her son (Bateman) a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature.

David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith will produce under their KatzSmith Productions banner. The duo produced last year’s smash hit remake of It, the highest grossing horror film of all time bringing in $700 million at the global box office. Aaron Schmidt and Chris Ferguson will executive produce.

Collaborating with Klevberg is a creative team led by Director of Photography Brendan Uegama (CW’s Riverdale, Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), production designer Dan Hermansen (Star Trek: Beyond, Godzilla), editor Tom Elkins (Annabelle, Inferno), costume designer Jori Woodman (The Boy, Final Destination 5), and special effects supervisor Dan Keeler (Fox’s The X Files, Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle).

Child’s Play, the 1988 film, went on to gross $44 million worldwide on a $9 million budget and spawned one of the most recognizable and successful horror characters of all time with its psychotic killer doll, Chucky.

Bateman is represented by Coast to Coast Talent Group and HG5 Entertainment; Plaza is represented by CAA and MGMT Entertainment; Henry is represented by CAA, JWS Entertainment.

  • Derek Anderson
    About the Author - Derek Anderson

    Raised on a steady diet of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Derek has been fascinated with fear since he first saw ForeverWare being used on an episode of Eerie, Indiana.

    When he’s not writing about horror as the Senior News Reporter for Daily Dead, Derek can be found daydreaming about the Santa Carla Boardwalk from The Lost Boys or reading Stephen King and Brian Keene novels.